In the Occult Research Club room, Rias raised the glass of juice in her hand and said, "Congratulations to everyone on their victory. You've done an incredible job."
Then we all raised our glasses and toasted the team's victory.
"Now we have to go to the Forest of Familiars." Rias put her glass down after a single sip and announced. "Asia, Leo, it's time for you to get your familiars."
"Why do we have to go today?" Asia asked, because she was enjoying this little celebration party a little. She had never been to one before.
"Because tonight is the night of the full moon," Rias explained. "The Master of Familiars can only be found on this day of the month. If we miss this opportunity, we'll have to wait another whole month."
We all gathered around Rias, and a magical circle began to form beneath our feet, glowing with an intense red light. I felt a slight vibration on the ground as the magic activated.
"Hold on," Rias warned. "We're going to teleport to the Forest of Familiars."
The glow from the magic circle increased, and I instinctively closed my eyes. When I opened them a second later, we were all surrounded by a dense forest, bathed in the silver light of the full moon. The surrounding trees were tall, crooked, leafy and imposing, most of them without a single leaf.
The air was thick, and all was as quiet as a forest at night could be.
"Welcome to the Forest of Familiars." Rias said and opened her arms.
Asia stepped back while she looked around behind me. "This place is... scary."
"We have to get it!" a harsh, old voice shouted from above.
When we raised our heads, we saw a middle-aged man high up in a tree. He had red hair and a backward cap. He was an aged parody of Ash from Pokémon.
"Who are you?" I asked.
The strange man pointed at himself and said proudly, "I am the Master of Familiars, Zatouji! It's a beautiful full moon tonight, youngsters! It's perfect for us to catch any familiar you want!"
"He's a professional when it comes to familiars." Akeno explained to Asia and me.
"I see."
"So what kind of familiar do you want?"
I was serious when I said, "I don't know yet. I want something that suits me, but I don't have a preference."
Asia hesitated for a moment and looked at me with an uncertain expression. "I... I'd like a reliable and handsome relative." She said and closed her eyes. "Ah! I also want it to be gentle and docile."
Zatouji smiled broadly when he heard Asia. "Demanding, huh? Then let's find the pretty girl's familiar first!"
He led us through the trees and along the paths of the Forest of Familiars. He seemed to know this forest very well, because even though the atmosphere was eerie, he didn't seem to be afraid at all.
At one point, he stopped us, pointed to a small clearing ahead, and said:
"Look over there."
There, shrouded in the stillness of the night, was a small, enchanting creature. The creature was a horse with scales all over its body and golden hair on its mane and tail.
"This is a Golden Kirin," Zatouji explained. "They are known for their beauty and loyalty. A perfect companion for someone like you, little girl."
"It's beautiful..." she said, enchanted by the Kirin. "W-what should I do?"
"Just go and try to make a connection." Zatouji instructed.
Asia looked at me, and I nodded, encouraging her. Then she cautiously approached the Kirin and reached out to touch and caress the creature.
The golden Kirin quickly noticed her presence, looked at her for a second, and ran into the bushes to escape.
Asia stood still with her hand outstretched, watching with a disappointed expression as the creature disappeared into the darkness.
"Don't worry, Asia," Rias said, coming closer, "we'll find you another familiar. There are many here in the forest."
Zatouji smiled encouragingly. "That's right! Familiars are very sensitive beings. They can sense the emotions of humans. Maybe the Golden Kirin was scared off by your nervousness, but that doesn't mean you won't find one that's perfect for you."
Asia became a little more confident with the words of support, and we continued walking through the forest.
As we walked, Zatouji talked about the different types of familiars we could find.
"There are many kinds of familiars in the Forest of Familiars. Some are small and docile, while others are large and powerful. The important thing is to find one that suits your personality and abilities."
I stood a little further back, not paying much attention to what Zatouji was saying.
"Leo, you look pensive." Akeno had a slight smile on her lips when she asked, but her eyes showed genuine concern. "Do you have any idea what kind of family member you'd like to have?"
"Not yet, actually. I want something that suits me, but I don't have a clear preference. Maybe something with a special connection or something that could be very useful in the future."
I definitely had no idea what I wanted. I'd never stopped to think about what kind of familiar I'd like to get in the High School DxD world because I was too busy imagining other things.
"That makes sense. Sometimes the right familiar shows up when you least expect it. Just be open to feeling the connection."
We continued walking, and suddenly Zatouji stopped. He held up a hand to signal us to stop and be quiet.
"There," he whispered, pointing to a high branch of a tree in front of us. "Look."
We looked in the direction he pointed and saw a small creature sitting on a high branch, staring at the moon. It was a creature the size of a small dog, with shimmering scales that reflected the moonlight. The creature folded its delicate wings next to its body, and its eyes shone with mysterious intelligence.
"This is a fairy dragon. They are rare and extremely powerful. This seems to be a young one, probably the lost son of an older fairy dragon."
Akeno looked at me. "Leo, you have dragon power. This could be a perfect match for you."
Just as I was about to answer her, a bunch of slime fell from the trees above us and landed directly on the girls.
"What the hell is that?" Kiba shouted and drew his sword.
Zatouji laughed as a slime landed over his eyes and crossed his arms. "Those are slime! They're harmless, but..."
The Master of Familiars didn't even need to finish what he was saying, because I began to see what the slime was capable of.
Each piece of these creatures that fell on the girls quickly melted the fabrics of the classes, allowing me to see what kind of underwear each of them was wearing.
'It's divine paradise! Thank you, slimes!'
*
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NEXT CHAPTERS:
Chapter 24 - Sona Sitri, The President of the Student Council
Chapter 25 - Divine Paradise
Chapter 26 - Choice Point 2
Chapter 27 - Lucid Dream
Chapter 28 - If it's Natural, It's Something from God
Chapter 29 - Vitality Healing (R-18)
Chapter 30 - Confused Mind of a Girl
Chapter 31 - Kitchen worktop (R-18)
Chapter 30 - Confused Mind of a Girl
Chapter 31 - Kitchen worktop (R-18)
Chapter 32 - Choice Point 3
Chapter 33 - Rias Gremory Virginity
Chapter 34 - Challenge
Chapter 35 - Raiser Phoenix, The Worst
Chapter 36 - Boosted Gear X Phoenix
Chapter 37 - Explo... sion?!
Chapter 38 - Devastation of Destruction
Chapter 39 - Gremory Mansion
Chapter 40 - System Update
Chapter 41 - Your chances? Very High! (R-18)
Chapter 42 - Asia Deep Throa... Khum! (R-18)
Chapter 43 - My First Time with a Nun (R-18)
Chapter 44 - Rhythms & Poses (R-18)
Chapter 44.5 - Asia Argento POV (R-18)